Client hasn't paid your invoice? What to send, and when
Most late invoices get paid after a clear, polite sequence of reminders. Enter the invoice below to see how late it is and which message to send next.
The reminder schedule that works
| When | Send |
|---|---|
| 3 days before due | Friendly heads-up with the invoice and pay link |
| Due date | "Due today" reminder |
| 1–6 days late | Quick nudge: "when can I expect it?" |
| 7+ days late | Firm follow-up with a specific deadline |
| 14+ days late | Escalation: pause work, apply the contract's late fee, offer a payment plan |
| 30+ days late | Final notice |
| 45+ days late | Formal demand letter (email + certified mail) |
Checklist before small claims
- Signed contract or emails showing the agreed price and scope
- Every invoice and reminder, with dates
- Proof you delivered the work
- A written demand letter with a deadline
- Your court's limit and filing fee. In Texas, Justice Court small claims go up to $20,000, and filing plus service is about $130–$140 in Harris and Fort Bend counties.
General information, not legal advice.
Want the full Freelancer Get-Paid Kit?
Invoice tracker with an overdue/aging dashboard, 6 escalating reminder emails, a final demand letter, a small-claims checklist (with a Texas example), and a Stripe/PayPal/bank CSV combiner.
Not legal or financial advice. These tools give general estimates only. Numbers are illustrative; your lender's statements control.